Let The Feeling Move You...

So, as I embark on my fourth year of teaching and as I move on to a brand new school, I can't help but think about my most favorite moments of teaching.  One occurred during the spring of my first year.  

My students and I are quickly preparing for a night called "Celebration of Learning." You know, a night where parents come to oohh and ahh over their children's achievements.  Anyway, it's third period and we've just had some thoughtful discussion about S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, I'm sure :)  My students close their novels and begin to pack up.  Before we transition to fourth period, I pass out their poetry project posters and give them one simple direction.  "Find an empty, appropriate space in the room.  Grab some tape from the various dispensers on the back table and hang your poster up."  After that I answer the general questions like, "Anywhere, Ms. Jones?  Even the whiteboard?"  Then, students are up, gliding around the classroom, contemplating that perfect spot for their posters.  Tape leaves the roll, chairs begin to move for the top spots, and everyone starts admiring the work of peers.  Admist the ruckus, I attempt to monitor the girl on her tip-toes in a chair by the television, offer suggestions as to how much tape everyone should use, and the like.  And then, I realize the rise of a sound...a note, if you will coming from the middle of the classroom.  I glance over to see one of my students standing in the center of our chaotic little world with his hands above his head singing, "AHHHH!" at the top of his lungs.  Slowly, I approach his little bubble and tap him on the shoulder.  Of course, his eyes are closed during his solo and I scare the notes right out of him.  Unsure of how to handle this performance and well aware of the nineteen pairs of eyes waiting for my reaction, I ask our superstar to step outside.  As the door closes, I say a little prayer for his parents, and ask, "What in the world were you doing?"  And, as serious as a heart attack, he says, "I don't know.  The feeling just moved me..." 

This is my world, people, in the land of seventh grade.

So, when the wedding stress combines with teaching stress, I'll take the advice of that student (who by the way, will legally be able to drive a car this year) and let the feeling move me.

The beginning...

This is the first known picture of me and Will circa 2005...ahhh the YMCA.  That's where we met about four years ago as summer camp counselors.  Anyway, enough with memory lane.   

Engagement Party Directions

From Athens:

1.  Follow U.S. 129 to Gainesville (starts out as Prince Avenue).  You'll go through Arcade, Jefferson, and Pendergrass (about 36 miles).

2.  This road turns into EE Butler Parkway/GA 11/Green Street in Gainesville.  Follow it for 1.4 miles.  

3.  Turn right onto Glenwood Drive and drive about two tenths of a mile before turning left on to Memorial Drive.  The house will be on your right.

Final Destination Address:  812 Memorial Drive - Gainesville, GA

From Atlanta:

1.  Merge on to I-985 from I-85.

2.  Take exit 22 towards Jefferson/Gainesville.

3.  Turn left onto EE Butler Parkway/GA 11/US -129 and follow it until you get to Glenwood Drive (about 2.5 miles).  Turn right onto Glenwood and then left onto Memorial Drive.

Final Desitination Address: 812 Memorial Drive - Gainesville, GA

If you have any problems, give me a call.  I will have my phone and Will on standby to help out :)

St. George Island

So, I realize I've been away from the blog for a while, but we really enjoyed vacation last week and I think all of us were sad to leave :(  St. George is such a beautiful place and holds some of my most favorite memories...It is where I first saw a real, live dolphin at the age of seven.  Even this year, as I sat in the shade of an umbrella with my feet buried deep in the sand, I grew extremely excited to see that glimmer of an oily black fin cresting in the waves.  Ahh...that's why I love the island so much.  When I feel the stresses of daily life drowning out my sensibilities, I think about St. George and it's unending peacefulness.  I can almost hear the laughter of my sisters and my cousins from all those years ago, terrorizing crabs on the shore after dark with our flashlights and nets.  Running up and down the coastline with a net and a head lamp is one of the most exhilirating feelings in the world.  For those of you who have been to our happy place, I know you can relate.  For those that haven't, I wish you could.  And although a twinge of sadness tugged at my soul when we left last Sunday, I was only able to think about my most favorite moment of vacation.  It's that first sight of the ocean that gets me.  Peeking through the trees ahead as we drive down Highway 98, the gulf reaches out and wraps its' salty arms around me on the drive in.  And for a week...hopefully next year, two...I breathe a little deeper and sleep a little easier.  

Here are some pictures from the week!

And the trip ain't ending...

Today, Will passed his "grill" exam at Enterprise.  And when I say grill, I mean a five hour interrogation over the ends and outs of his company.  I couldn't be more unbelievably proud of him than I am right now.  He's been intensively studying for the past month and he hasn't relented for even one video game.  Yay for success and the possibility of promotion.

In other news, I am renewing my love for academia and the College of Education this week.  As a part of the National Writing Project, UGA adopted a program entitled The Red Clay Writing Project.  It offers graduate courses during the summer and I've fallen in love.  The technology class I'm taking has created within me a passion for teaching writing that I never knew I would have.  Most of you know that I am a closet creative writer, but I've never figured out how to bring that passion into a middle school classroom.  When I was in seventh grade, I would write every day curled up on the couch at home.  Try as they might, my family never convinced me to let anyone read those bizzare little stories I used to write.  But, this class has shown me ways to help students find their voices.  Today, on my lunch break, I perched at a picnic table outside Aderhold Hall with several other teachers.  Bees buzzed by my ears, students trekked in and out of the building with their armor of books and laptops, and the sun cast shadows on all of our faces.  At that moment, I remembered my purpose in life is to not only teach, to not only inspire, but also to keep learning for myself.  

Do It Yourself...

Well, it has been a very productive week!  The music crisis has been solved, though I was probably a little melo-dramatic about it anyway.  We found invitations yesterday and in two weeks we get to taste all the food.  So, at the moment, I'm counting down the days to a week on St. George Island and I'm focused on making the wedding favors myself.  My creativity has returned in the absence of "teaching and learning."  I have lots of ideas for wedding details and I've figured out that the best way to get what I want is to create some things myself.  So, this wedding really will be a labor of love.  Will, the calming and patient force in my life, just smiles and loves everything I show him.  Is it what he really thinks?  Maybe.  Is it self-preservation?  Probably.  Is he maintaining his sanity?  Definitely.  

P.S.  I'm very excited that Drew Stichtenoth arrived in this world on Saturday, perfectly healthy.  Congratulations to Casey and Todd!  

Music makes the people...yeah!

Grr...So, planning this wedding has been relatively easy thus far.  I couldn't believe the chapel was available and I even called Erin, who runs the place, back the next day to make sure she marked the correct YEAR on her calendar.  People will get married on Fridays and Sundays just to have their ceremony at the chapel so we considered it fate when we booked it:)  The Classic Center is beautiful; their caterer is accessible and the CAKE!  If you've ever been to The Last Resort downtown in Athens and had a piece of cake, you've tasted a little slice of heaven from Cecilia V, who is designing my cake.

A side story about the cake: At Casey's baby shower, there were little petit fours with booties on top as part of the food fare.  As I bit into one, the hostess said, "Those are from Cecilia's in Athens!"  I turned around to the tower of deliciousness and tried every single flavor just because I knew she'd be making my cake! (And another reason I'm in the middle of a Wedding Boot Camp fitness routine.)

But, the ONE THING that we cannot find is reception entertainment.  I think we waited a little too long to start the hunt.  When you hail from a family of school teachers, everyone has one mentality:  Let's just make it to summer break.  Well, that strategy isn't working for our entertainment booking.  We've been in contact with three fantastic bands and all of them are booked.  But, they've been very kind to let me know that if I wanted to change my date to another Saturday in October, they would be GLAD to play at my reception.  I mean, neat.  So, if anyone has ANY suggestion for a band that plays a great variety, please let me know!  If it comes down to it, we'll have to pick out a talented DJ, but even those seem to be limited.

The Glamorous...

For those of you who don't know, this wedding planning business can make you feel extremely indecisive about everything.  Who knew there were seventy-five thousand shades of roses?  Not me, until now.  But, one thing I am REALLY excited about is my choice of photographer.  Her name is Michelle Ashe; she's from Thomson and has done some fabulous work.  I can't wait to take engagement pictures, but Will says we need to be "tanned and toned," first.  Thus, he rock climbs at the new gym here in Athens and I'm sweating it off at Body Pump twice a week.  Here is a link to Michelle's website.  For any of you who are looking for photographers, she travels and the fee is very reasonable.

http://www.michelleashephotography.com

DISCLAIMER:  Will says he did NOT under any circumstance make the "tanned and toned" comment...I'll let you be the judge on that one.

   

Four months and counting!

Hey Everyone!

I decided to start a blog where you can find all of the information you need to know for our upcoming October 10th wedding.  Will and I are so very excited to share this day with all of you; I've never created a blog before, so here goes nothing :)  And, I hope this endeavour doesn't seem vain or completely selfish!  

General Information:

Date: October 10th, 2009

Time: 3:30 pm

Location:  UGA Chapel, North Campus

Reception:  High Shoals Room, The Classic Center in Downtown Athens

Registries:  Macy's; Bed, Bath and Beyond; Target and Belk